Method of transmitting real time traffic with reduced header in wireless network

ABSTRACT

In a mobile telecommunications network including a mobile User Equipment (UE) ( 10 ) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW) ( 40 ), a method is provided for controlling data packet header overhead for real time data packet traffic between the UE ( 10 ) and the PGW ( 40 ). The method includes: modifying one or more data packets having an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header to remove at least a portion of at least one of said IP and UDP headers prior to transporting said modified data packet between the UE ( 10 ) and PGW ( 40 ); and reconstructing the removed header portions upon receipt of the modified data packet at one of the UE ( 10 ) or PGW ( 40 ).

BACKGROUND

The inventive subject matter relates generally to the art of mobile and/or wireless telecommunications. Particular but not exclusive relevance is found in connection with Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless networks, the standards of which have been developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. It is to be appreciated however that aspects of the present inventive subject matter are also equally amenable to other like applications and/or network environments.

LTE and/or other broadband and/or Internet Protocol (IP) wireless networks are used at times to transmit real time voice, audio, video and/or other like real time traffic packets. For example, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) represents real time voice packet transmission over an LTE wireless network. However, one problem with carrying real time traffic packets over an LTE network is the relatively large User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) header overhead. For example, in such cases, a typical real time traffic packet may have: an IP header of 20 octets for IP version 4 (IPv4) or 40 octets for IP version 6 (IPv6); a UDP header of 8 octets (without a checksum) or 10 (with a checksum); and a Real-time Transfer Protocol (RTP) header of 12 octets. Accordingly, the total header is between 40 and 42 octets for IPv4 and between 60 and 62 for IPv6.

By comparison, the payload size (say for real time voice packets) depends on the speech coding and frame size being used, but it may be as low as 15 to 20 octets. This means the header can account for almost 50% to 67% overhead depending on the particular circumstances. The overhead is given by the payload size divided by the total header size. For example, assuming a 20 octet payload using IPv4 with no UDP checksum, the header overhead is 50%.

In telecommunications networks, it is generally desirable to conserve bandwidth, and in particular, in an LTE wireless network the air interface bandwidth can be a relatively costly resource. Accordingly, it can be desirable to reduce or eliminate header overhead where possible.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to the present inventive subject matter. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Heretofore in LTE wireless networks there has been no suitable form of header compression between a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW) and the User Equipment (UE) for real time traffic packets.

To conserve air interface bandwidth between the UE and evolved Node-B (eNB), Robust Header Compression (RoHC) has been developed to compress header packets. However, RoHC does not remove the UDP/IP header completely and accordingly header overhead remains and in some cases it may be larger than would be desired. Additionally, RoHC is relatively complex and can add a significant processing burden to both the UE and eNB where resources for such processing can be scarce.

Accordingly, a new and/or improved system and/or method is disclosed which addresses the above-referenced challenge(s) and/or others.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for use in a mobile telecommunications network including a mobile User Equipment (UE) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW). The method reduces data packet header overhead for real time data packet traffic between the UE and the PGW. The method includes: modifying one or more data packets having an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header to remove at least a portion of at least one of said IP and UDP headers prior to transporting said modified data packet between the UE and PGW; and reconstructing the removed header portions upon receipt of the modified data packet at one of the UE (10) or PGW (40).

In accordance with other embodiments, a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW) is provided for use in a mobile telecommunications network serving mobile User Equipment (UE). The PGW is operative to: receive real time traffic data packets from sent from a UE, the received data packets having had at least some portion of at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header removed therefrom; and reconstruct the removed portions of said IP and UDP headers.

In accordance with another embodiment, a mobile User Equipment (UE) is provided for use in a mobile telecommunications network including a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW). The UE is operative to: modify real time traffic data packets so as to remove at least a portion of at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header from the data packets; and send the modified data packets toward the PGW.

Numerous advantages and benefits of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The following detailed description makes reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating exemplary and/or preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting. Further, it is to be appreciated that the drawings may not be to scale.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an exemplary network architecture suitable for practicing aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an exemplary UE suitable for practicing aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an exemplary PGW suitable for practicing aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the operation of an exemplary header overhead reduction process and/or method in accordance with aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

For clarity and simplicity, the present specification shall refer to structural and/or functional elements, relevant standards and/or protocols, and other components that are commonly known in the art without further detailed explanation as to their configuration or operation except to the extent they have been modified or altered in accordance with and/or to accommodate the preferred embodiment(s) presented herein.

Described herein are method and system embodiments for eliminating and/or reducing header overhead for real time traffic packets transported over a wireless network, e.g., such as an LTE wireless network, between a UE and a PGW of the network. Suitably, this is achieved by striping, deleting, erasing and/or otherwise removing the UDP and IP headers from the relevant packets prior to transporting and/or transmitting the real time traffic packets, e.g., using a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) and/or S5 interface, between the relevant network entities (NEs) or nodes (i.e., the UE and PGW).

More specifically, in one suitable embodiment, for uplink (UL) transmissions of packets from the UE toward the PGW, the UE removes the UDP and/or IP headers from the relevant packets prior to transmission of the packets toward the PGW. Conversely, for downlink (DL) transmission of packets from the PGW toward the UE, the PGW removes the UDP and/or IP headers from the relevant packets prior to transmission of the packets toward the PGW. In this way, the real time traffic packets are transported between the UE and PGW without the removed UDP and/or IP headers thereby reducing and/or eliminating header overhead and consequently conserving bandwidth.

In practice, the entire UDP and IP headers may be so removed to maximize the reduction and/or elimination of header overhead associated with the transport and/or transmission of real time traffic packets between the UE and PGW of a wireless network, such as, e.g., an LTE wireless network. However, in alternate embodiments, it is contemplated that only some portion of either or both of the UDP and IP headers may be so removed. In one suitable embodiment, prior to modifying any packets and/or stripping or removing any header information therefrom, a dedicated bearer is established between the UE and PGW and the respective NE may then employ the UDP/IP information contained in the relevant Traffic Flow Template (TFT).

Suitably, the PGW is also equipped, programmed and/or otherwise provisioned to identify relevant real time packet traffic calls and/or sessions for particular UEs and reconstruct appropriate UDP and/or IP headers and append or prepend the same to those packets received without their respective headers. Likewise, the UE may optionally be similarly equipped, programmed and/or otherwise provisioned to reconstruct UDP and/or IP headers for packets received without them from the PGW. In practice, the foregoing reconstruction is achieved with the aid of profiles provided in and/or provisioned at and/or otherwise accessible by the UE and PGW respectively. These profiles regulate and/or control the manner in which the respective headers and/or the fields thereof are rebuilt and/or provide the respective values and/or setting for the various fields of the headers.

The tables that follow list the various fields for respective headers which may be removed and/or reconstructed as described herein along with the size of each field (in bits) prior to removal/stripping of the relevant headers. Also shown in the tables are parameters and/or values for each field with respect to UL and DL packets which indicate and/or describe how each field is to be reconstructed. For example, “set” indicated in the table under the UL and/or DL packet columns means that the corresponding field value is set according to the respective profile. In particular, for UL packets, the header fields are set according to the corresponding PGW profile, and for DL packets, the header fields are set according to the corresponding UE profile. Conversely, “no” is indicated in the table under the UL and/or DL packet columns means that the corresponding field may be blank or unset.

IPv6 Header UL DL PGW Field Size packet packet profile UE Profile Version 4 set set set to set to version version Traffic 8 set set set to 0 set to 0 Class Flow Label 20 set set set to 0 set to 0 Payload 16 set set calculate calculate Length Next Header 8 set set set to UDP set to UDP Hop Limit 8 set no set to max NA Source 128 set set set base set base Address on a priori on a priori information information Destination 128 set set set base set base Address on a priori on a priori information information

IPv4 Header UL DL PGW Field Size packet packet profile UE Profile Version 4 set set set to set to version version Header Length 4 set set calculate calculate Type of 8 set no set based NA Service on profile Packet Length 16 set set calculate calculate Identifi- 16 set no set to don't NA cation fragment Reserved Flag 1 set no NA NA Don't Fragment 1 set set set to don't set to don't Flag fragment fragment More Fragments 1 set set set to “not set to “not Flag set” set” Fragment 13 set set set to “not set to “not Offset set” set” Time to Live 8 set set set to “N” set to “N” value value Protocol 8 set set set to UDP set to UDP Header 16 set set calculate calculate Checksum Source 32 set set set base set base Address on a priori on a priori information information Destination 32 set set set base set base Address on a priori on a priori information information

UDP Header UL DL Field Size packet packet PGW profile UE Profile Source Port 16 set set set base set base on a priori on a priori information information Destination 16 set set set base set base Port on a priori on a priori information information Length 16 set set calculate calculate Checksum 16 set no calculate NA

As shown in the profile entries in the tables above, when reconstructing the various headers, certain fields are designated to be set with predetermined values and/or parameters. For example, in the IP headers, the Version field is populated with and/or set to the respective version, i.e., 4 for IPv4 headers and 6 for IPv6 headers. Similarly, in the reconstruction of IPv6 headers, the Traffic Class and Flow Label are set to zero; the Next Header field is set to “UDP” to indicate that a UDP header follows; and, the Hop Limit field for UL packets is set to its maximum, while for the DL packets it is unset and hence the profile entry for the UE is not applicable (NA). Likewise, in the reconstruction of IPv4 headers, there are profile entries which prescribe specific values and/or parameters which are to be used to fill the fields of reconstructed headers, and there are profile entries which are NA. For example, the Don't Fragment Flag field is set to don't fragment, the More Fragments Flag and Fragment Offset fields are set to not set, the Time to Live field is set to a value N, the Protocol field is set to UDP; etc. Of course, when completely stripped or removed from a data packet, the size of the respective header or field may be reduced to zero bits.

Also as shown in the above tables, various fields in the reconstructed headers are populated with calculated values as per the corresponding profile entries indicating “calculate.” In particular, these fields are the various respective payload, packet and header lengths and the checksums which can be readily calculated from actual, known, measured and/or otherwise determined values associated with and/or obtained from the particular packet for which the header is being rebuilt.

Additionally, other profile entries indicate and/or prescribe that certain fields of the reconstructed headers (namely, source and destination addresses and source and destination ports) are to be set based upon certain a priori information known by, communicated to and/or otherwise available to the respective NE or node (i.e., the PGW and/or UE as the case may be).

For example, when the UE initiates a real time packet traffic call or session (e.g. such as a VoLTE call), the source and destination IP addresses and the source and destination ports (i.e., the a priori information) are generally known and/or available to the UE. In one suitable embodiment, this information may be obtained by the UE from the UDP/IP packet headers that are being removed by the UE. In practice, this a priori information relating to and/or identifying the source and destination IP addresses and source and destination ports is saved, cached and/or otherwise retained by the UE for use in rebuilding the respective headers according to the corresponding profile entries for the UE.

As for the PGW, it may obtain the a priori information (i.e., source and destination IP addresses and source and destination ports) in a number of ways and save, cache and/or otherwise retain the same for use in rebuilding the respective headers according to the corresponding profile entries for the PGW. Suitably, the relevant a priori information and the particular UE with which traffic and/or packets are associated is determined by and/or set forth in a Traffic Flow Template (TFT) established in accordance with the setup of the corresponding call or session. For example, in one suitable embodiment, when a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) client (i.e., the UE) is involved in a Voice over IP (VoIP) and/or video call or other like real time packet traffic call or session, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) transfers the source and destination IP addresses, source and destination ports and UDP information to the various NEs of the LTE wireless network, including the PGW. In another suitable embodiment, the UE may communicate the a priori information to the PGW. For example, at or proximate the setting-up and/or establishment of a real time packet traffic call and/or session, the UE may allow a first one or some initial number of packets to retain their UDP/IP headers when being transmitted toward and/or transported to the PGW. In this way, the PGW can obtain the relevant a priori information from the so received header or headers. Thereafter, the UE may then remove the respective UDP/IP headers from subsequent UL packets in order to eliminate and/or reduce the header overhead.

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary network architecture suitable for practice of aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter. As shown, the UE 10 connects to and/or communicates with an eNB and/or evolved-Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (e-UTRAN) 20, e.g., via an LTE-Uu interface. The eNB and/or e-UTRAN 20 in turn connects to and/or communicates with a Serving Gateway (SGW) 30, e.g., via an S1-U interface; and the SGW 30 connects to and/or communicates with the PGW 40, e.g., via an S5 interface. In turn, the PGW 40 connects to and/or communicates with a packet network (e.g., such as the Internet) and a network operator's IP services 50 (e.g., including an IMS) via an SGi interface for example.

In practice, the IP/UDP layer for VoIP and/or video and/or other like real time packet traffic is transported between the UE 10 and the PGW 40. A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) is used to tunnel user data between the eNB 20 and the SGW 30 as well as between the SGW 30 and the PGW 40 in the backbone network by encapsulating all end user IP/UDP packets. Hence, the SGW 30 and eNB 20 are generally transparent to the approach described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary UE 10 suitable for practicing aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter. As shown, the UE 10 is provisioned with the UE profile 12 as described herein. The UE 10 is also provisioned with a header removal and/or reconstructing engine 14 that performs header removal and/or reconstruction as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary PGW 40 suitable for practicing aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter. As shown, the PGW 40 is provisioned with the PGW profile 42 as described herein. The PGW 40 is also provisioned with a header removal and/or reconstructing engine 44 that performs header removal and/or reconstruction as described herein.

With reference now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplary process and/or method in accordance with aspect(s) of the inventive subject matter. In particular, box 120 represents the UE 10 and/or operation thereof. Boxes 140 and 141 represent the PGW 40 and/or the operation thereof in the UL direction and DL direction, respectively.

In the illustrated example, at box 120, a user originates or initiates a real time packet traffic call or session, such as, e.g., a VoLTE call. Suitably, the header removal/reconstruction engine 14 of the UE 10 modifies the outgoing data packets directed to the PGW 40 by removing the IP/UDP headers therefrom.

Accordingly, at box 140 (i.e., in the UL direction), the PGW 40 receives the data packets sent from the UE 10 without their IP/UDP headers. The PGW 40 identifies the call or session as being associated with the particular user and based on the a priori information, e.g., in the TFT established during the call/session setup, the header reconstruction engine 44 of the PGW 40 reconstructs an appropriate IP/UDP header for the received data packets. In turn, the reconstructed headers are appended (or more precisely prepended) to corresponding outgoing data packets, for example, forwarded to the IMS 52 or other packet data network on the SGi interface.

In the opposite traffic flow direction, at box 141 (i.e., in the DL direction), the PGW 40 receives call and/or session traffic directed toward the UE, e.g., from the IMS 52. Again, the PGW 40 identifies that the call and/or session traffic is for a particular user and the header removal engine 44 of the PGW 40 modifies the data packets to remove the IP/UDP headers therefrom. In turn, the PGW 40 forwards the data packets without their IP/UDP headers on to the appropriate UE 10, e.g., using the GTP.

While described above with respect to specific examples and/or embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alternatives are contemplated. For example, it is to be appreciated that in connection with the particular exemplary embodiment(s) presented herein certain structural and/or function features or parts are described as being incorporated in defined elements and/or components. However, it is contemplated that these features or parts may, to the same or similar benefit, also likewise be incorporated in other elements and/or components where appropriate. It is also to be appreciated that different aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively employed as appropriate to achieve other alternate embodiments suited for desired applications, the other alternate embodiments thereby realizing the respective advantages of the aspects incorporated therein.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the ideas and/or approach described herein, while illustrated with reference to an LTE wireless network, are also amenable and/or adaptable to other networks and/or environments. Also, it is contemplated there may be relatively large growth in Machine to Machine (M2M) communications that will tend to involve relatively small messages which are exchanged relatively frequently. In such a case, considering the relatively large numbers of devices and frequency of messages, it is possible to make improvements in the IP/UDP or IP/TCP overhead by making use of the ideas and/or approaches described herein.

It is also to be appreciated that any one or more of the particular tasks, steps, processes, analysis, methods, functions, elements, parts and/or components described herein may suitably be implemented via hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. For example, the various elements, parts and/or nodes may include a processor, e.g., embodied by a computing or other electronic data processing device, that is configured and/or otherwise provisioned to perform one or more of the tasks, steps, processes, analysis, methods and/or functions described herein. For example, one or more computers or servers or other electronic data processing devices may be employed in the system and may be provided, supplied and/or programmed with a suitable listing of code (e.g., such as source code, interpretive code, object code, directly executable code, and so forth) or other like instructions or software or firmware (e.g., such as an application to perform and/or administer the processing and/or image analysis described herein), such that when run and/or executed by the computer or other electronic data processing device one or more of the tasks, steps, processes, analysis, methods and/or functions described herein are completed or otherwise performed. Suitably, the listing of code or other like instructions or software or firmware is implemented as and/or recorded, stored, contained or included in and/or on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable storage medium or media so as to be providable to and/or executable by the computer or other electronic data processing device. For example, suitable storage mediums and/or media can include but are not limited to: floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic storage medium or media, CD-ROM, DVD, optical disks, or any other optical medium or media, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or other memory or chip or cartridge, or any other tangible medium or media from which a computer or machine or electronic data processing device can read and use. In essence, as used herein, non-transitory computer-readable and/or machine-readable mediums and/or media comprise all computer-readable and/or machine-readable mediums and/or media except for a transitory, propagating signal.

Optionally, any one or more of the particular tasks, steps, processes, analysis, methods, functions, elements and/or components described herein may be implemented on and/or embodiment in one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computer(s), a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, Graphical card CPU (GPU), or PAL, or the like. In general, any device, capable of implementing a finite state machine that is in turn capable of implementing the respective tasks, steps, processes, analysis, methods and/or functions described herein can be used.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain elements and/or parts described herein as incorporated together may under suitable circumstances be stand-alone elements or otherwise divided. Similarly, a plurality of particular functions described as being carried out by one particular element or part may be carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting independently to carry out individual functions, or certain individual functions may be split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinct elements or parts acting in concert. Alternately, some elements, parts or components otherwise described and/or shown herein as distinct from one another may be physically or functionally combined where appropriate.

In short, the specification has been set forth with reference to preferred and/or other embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling data packet header overhead for real time data packet traffic between a mobile User Equipment (UE) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW) in a mobile telecommunications network, said method comprising: modifying one or more data packets having an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header to remove at least a portion of at least one of the IP header and the UDP header prior to transporting said one or more data packets that have been modified between the UE and the PGW; and reconstructing one or more removed header portions upon receipt of the one or more data packets that have been modified at one of the UE or PGW.
 2. The method of claim 1, said method further comprising: at least one of prepending or appending the one or more removed header portions to corresponding ones of the data packets that have been modified, the corresponding ones received at one of the UE or the PGW.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying results in the complete removal of the IP header and the UDP header.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more data packet that have been modified are transported between the UE and the PGW at least partially through a tunnel established in accordance with a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP).
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a profile which specifies how at least one field of at least one of the IP header and the UDP header are to be reconstructed.
 6. A Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW) for use in a mobile telecommunications network serving mobile User Equipment (UE), the PGW configured to: receive data packets from a UE, the data packets having had at least a portion of at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header removed therefrom; and reconstruct removed portions of said at least one of an IP header and a UDP header.
 7. The PGW of claim 6, wherein the PGW is further configured to: at least one of prepend or append the removed portions that have been reconstructed to the data packets that have been received.
 8. The PGW of claim 7, wherein the data packets that have been received have had the IP header and the UDP header removed completely therefrom and the PGW is configured to reconstruct entirely the IP header and the UDP header for the data packets that have been received.
 9. The PGW of claim 7, wherein the PGW is provisioned with a profile that specifies how at least one field of at least one of the IP header and the UDP header are to be reconstructed.
 10. The PGW of claim 7, wherein the PGW is further configured to: obtain a priori information which is used in reconstructing at least one of the removed portion of at least one of the IP header and the UDP header.
 11. The PGW of claim 10, wherein the a priori information includes at least one of a source address, a destination address, a source port and a destination port.
 12. The PGW of claim 11, wherein PGW is configured to obtain the a priori information from at least one data packet that has been received from the UE with at least one of the IP header and the UDP header intact.
 13. The PGW of claim 11, wherein PGW is configured to obtain the a priori information from an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
 14. The PGW of claim 6, wherein the PGW is further configured to: receive data packets intended for the UE which include at least one of an IP header and a UDP header; modify the data packets intended for the UE that have been received so as to remove at least a portion of at least one of the IP header and the UDP header of the data packets intended for the UE that have been received; and forward the data packets intended for the UE that have been modified toward the UE.
 15. A mobile User Equipment (UE) for use in a mobile telecommunications network including a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW), the UE configured to: modify first data packets so as to remove at least a portion of at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) header and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header from the first data packets; and send the first data packets that have been modified toward the PDN PGW.
 16. The UE of claim 15, wherein said UE is further configured to: not modify at least one second data packet such that the at least one second data packet retains IP and UDP headers; and send the at least one second data packet that has not been modified toward the PDN PGW. 